The Brazilian scored his first La Liga goal of the season to cancel out Riki’s opener for Deportivo, before Argentine forward Gonzalo Higuain scored the winner for the visitors with just two minutes remaining.

Riazor acknowledged his team's assured second-half performance, before singling Kaká out for special praise.

The 39-year-old said: "Deportivo played well throughout the game, but our attitude in the second half was different from at the beginning.

"He [Kaká] played really well. His state of mind helps him and this is important for the team, that he is playing well and that he is another alternative. That is always positive."

The former Milan playmaker had become a bit-part player under José Mourinho after being dogged by form and fitness issues during his Bernabeu career.

However, a run of strong performances alongside fixture congestion has seen him reinstated into the line-up.